Textiles Gallery

Dubbed 'Cottonopolis', Manchester was once the international centre of the cotton industry, and Oldham’s Platt Brothers & Co. Ltd. built textile machines for mills across the British Empire. The city's landscape is still shaped by its textile heritage.

Visit the Textiles Gallery to watch original 19th century machinery spin yarn into cloth in our daily demonstrations.

Learn about the characteristics of different materials, and have a go at braiding and weaving.

Follow the production process through design, printing and finishing, and find out what happens to textiles when they’re recycled.

Weaving workshop

Do you fancy taking on the role of a power loom and having a go at weaving your own piece of cloth? Then why not drop into our Weaving Workshop anytime between 14.00 and 16.00 every Saturday and Sunday. Recommended for ages 5–11.

Over, under, over, under...

My Den

A quieter, more sensory space for families with babies and young children to play together. With projections, touch-feel wall panels and comfy mats, it’s the perfect place to try out our Blanket Bags and Treasure Baskets, or just take some time out.

Information

Objects on display

This is a small selection of objects on display in our Textiles Gallery. You can browse our online collection for more items housed in the Great Western Warehouse. If you are visiting to see any of these objects, please contact us in advance to make sure that it will be on display.